Lisa's Blog

Our family just returned late last night from a Mexican Rivera cruise on Royal Caribbean and we had the time of our lives! I'd highly recommend this cruise. It is very kid friendly and there was something for everyone. It departs from Los Angeles and goes to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. There were so many incredible things about the cruise. Here are my top 10:

1. The beautiful sunsets! Simply breathtaking.

3. The amazing ziplines at this place:

Ziplining down the mountainside over rain forests and waterfalls was simply the most exciting and scariest adventures I've ever been on!

This is where you ended up!

Hey Everyone!

Just had to make you smile! Here are a couple more photos from our Mexico trip that are sure to add a little joy to your face.

Big changes are on the horizon for Kade.
This Sunday is the day we've all anticipated his entire life. It's the week he gives a "farewell" talk to our congregation at church.

It is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to this guy for two years. He's so excited to go to North Carolina and looks forward to meeting all the wonderful people there. I'm so happy about all the many amazing experiences that await him. However, I'm not looking forward to the loneliness we'll feel without his presence in our home--he has been a bright spot in our family and such a good example for his siblings to follow. I already plan to sleep in his bed the night he leaves :) ! Although there might be four other people fighting me to get there first!

Kade leaves on January 20th (one day before Sage's birthday and six days before mine! But he is here today for Steve's birthday! (Happy Birthday, SRB.) I'll keep you posted on the countdown to his leaving and his journey in North Carolina.

Have a great weekend and stay warm.

Lisa

Today I woke up with a screaming headache. You know, the kind where you just want to pull the covers over your head and go back to sleep for the day. I then started thinking about only four more days to spend with my Kade before it's goodbye for two years. I got up, looked outside at the non-sunny, smoggy day, took some Exedrin Migraine medicine (works wonders!) and decided I must seize the day. I got involved in laundry, keeping Sage and her friends busy playing school and helping Kade pack. Collin got asked to Preference a few weeks ago and the big night was tonight. Here in Utah, they not only go to the dance but they do a "day" date also. So--Collin was waiting for his date to pick him up for the day date (paint balling) when I looked down at his fingernails. Sage and her friend, Krisha, had pulled a prank on him the night before while he was sleeping and painted one hand of his fingernails.

My boy left yesterday and it will be two years before I'll see him.

No, I wouldn't choose winter for Kade to leave. Think of all he'll miss: building snow forts, decorating the Christmas tree, hanging lights, sledding down hills, late nights reading books under a cozy blanket, family dinners, Sage's birthday, Steve's birthday, my birthday. And what about Kade's birthday? No--I wouldn't choose Winter.

No, I wouldn't choose spring for Kade to leave. Think of all he'll miss: Easter Egg hunts, planting flowers, flying kites, watching our trees blossom, cleaning up the yard, birds hatching in the nest in our big tree, Brecken's birthday, Lagoon trip on Memorial Day, putting flowers on graves at the cemetery. No--I wouldn't choose Spring.

No, I wouldn't choose summer for Kade to leave. Think of all he'll miss: Our annual Lake Powell trip, lifeguarding at the pool, gazing at the stars, Stadium of Fire on the 4th of July, trampoline marathons, backyard campouts, bon fires. No--I wouldn't choose Summer.

No, I wouldn't choose fall for Kade to leave. Think of all he'll miss: the first football game of the season, carving pumpkins, hay rides, corn mazes, shopping for back to school clothes, dodgeball games, blockbuster movie on Thanksgiving, Collin's birthday. No--I wouldn't choose Fall.

Kade did leave us on a cold, smoggy winter day--January 20, 2010.

I thought I'd be an absolute wreck and would spend the next few weeks crying. I'm surprised at the peace and joy I feel. Yes--he's missing out on all the fun winter activities we will be having. But--he's spreading his wings and flying and there's nowhere I'd rather him be. I'm sure you all can relate when your children go off to school or away in the military or on a mission.

This past week I panicked. I was ironing all his white shirts when I had this weird thought . . .

First of all, thanks for all your love over the past week. Your sweet notes and prayers have made a huge difference. I felt buoyed up by your support. We got our first letter from Kade and he's doing great!

Today has started off great! Breakfast in bed (whole wheat Belgium waffles with homemade strawberry syrup), omelet, bacon and orange juice. Marta then brought by a luscious chocolate cake and Nani brought chocolate chip cookies. Yes--I ate cake and cookies before 10:00 a.m.! I then went with my friend, Dana, to one of our religious buildings together (for those of you of my faith, the Mount Timp Temple). In a few minutes, my pal, Kristy Banks, is taking me out for my annual birthday massage and lunch, and tonight it will be dinner at Park City with my family. Plus my hubby's been doing laundry all morning so--great day!

Last Friday night, several of my friends knew I'd need a little cheering up with Kade just leaving, so they threw a fun birthday bash at a beautiful Sundance cabin. Here are the girls:

We played the game, Signs--really a fun group game! My friend, Allison Norton, always makes me my favorite carrot cake. Remember last year's cake--a big chunk was taken away where her little five year old had sampled it? Well--this is this year's cake. It's simply to die for!